Being a DVD in two parts I’m going to present them in separate paragraphs here and title them accordingly Pre-Natal and Massage. So, here goes...

PRE-NATAL
This is an interesting trip into the wonderful world of pregnancy. Three women all perform the yoga here as examples, each being in a different trimester of their pregnancy. Well, maybe one has a jumper stuffed up her leotard, I couldn’t be sure.

Anyway, the exercise is seemingly nice and relaxing for those ladies in the family way and is sure to ease away those awful backaches and sore ankles (I’ve spoken to my two sisters-in-law about this stuff, so I know).

The workout goes for a whopping 57 minutes, so if you’re not ‘showing’ at the start, you’re bound to be by the end. Shiva Rea is the instructor during this workout and she has apparently devised this series of exercises to enhance the pregnancy experience. Or be more radiant, or something.

The workout is broken into three sections, so you don’t need the whole 57 minutes each time. These are: Increase Energy and Stamina, Build Strength and Flexibility during Pregnancy and Improve Focus to Assist Labour and Delivery. Personally, I’m sure this stuff would help, but I’m not exactly in the best position to review it. Still, I’ve seen a lot of others from the Gaiam stable of DVDs and all of them are excellent, so logically this one couldn’t be too far off either.

MASSAGE
Michelle Kluck (I kid you not) is a Certified Massage Therapist and has developed this series of massages and techniques specifically for the pregnant, or ‘glowing’, woman. There’s this dude giving this woman a massage in the backyard for 24 minutes, though they move indoors for the leg massages. Knowing how women can suffer muscular aches and pains during pregnancy, I imagined the queue lining up for the part of ‘Massage Mom’ at audition. About 5000 pregnant women going around the block and up the street. What an image that created!

At any rate, the massages are awesome according to a gal I know, and are designed for the relief of Backache, Neck Tension, Headaches and Aching Legs and Feet. They’re also well described and well spoken, though I must take issue with Ms Kluck about her political incorrectness. I mean, always referring to the one being massaged as ‘her’ and ‘she’. It’s just not on, Ms Kluck. This is the 21st century, next you’ll be telling us men can’t have babies!

PRE-NATAL
This is nice as far as picture goes. There are some grainy regions and a tiny bit of compression evidence, but generally it’s okay. The colours are nice and for the first time in any of the Gaiam DVDs I’ve reviewed, they use an indoor setting. This is probably to give a sense of security, just as the general yoga ones give the sense of freedom that being in the outdoors offers. It works anyway and is well lit. Plenty of candles strewn about lend more to the calm feel, as does a roaring fire behind a grate. Flesh tones are all fine and shadows give up all their details, though it doesn’t matter much. You’re supposed to be watching the yoga people.

Audio is all well spoken and clear and delivered calmly and sedately. We don't need any extra excitement or panicked voices hurrying those babies along, that's for sure.

MASSAGE
Again we have some grainy video, but for the most part it’s okay. This part is set outdoors and is daylit well. Flesh and such all looks fine and the colour levels are all okay as well. My only complaint is in the voiceover, and the continued use of ‘her’. All jokes aside, it did get just a little tired by the end. However, this is the short half of the DVD, so it’s bearable.

OVERALL FOR BOTH
Overall this is another brilliant Gaiam production, encompassing two spheres of pregnancy and uniting them into a practical solution for today’s enlightened woman. Images are clear and clean for the most part, the music is peaceful and calming and there are plenty of soothing cutaways to water rippling over rocks.

I’m sure this will be of maximum benefit to women who are pregnant and with the exercises demonstrated on the massage section, partners can be involved in sharing the experience together. Gaiam come through yet again.